Abbott Laboratories reported its plans to acquire Cardiovascular Systems Inc., (CSI), makers of an orbital atherectomy system, and will pay shareholders of CSI $20 per share. Analysts see the acquisition as a smart move for Abbott even though the purchase price represents a 50%-plus premium over the Feb. 8 closing price of $13.31, but the companies did not provide a date by which the transaction will close.
Globus Medical Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to buy Nuvasive Inc. in an all-stock transaction that will combine two leaders in the musculoskeletal industry into one of the largest companies in the spinal surgery market. While there are many companies in the spine market, the acquisition may still set off an alarm among regulators concerned about consolidation in the field. Both boards unanimously approved the deal.
Zhimeng Biopharma Inc. found a global partner for its hepatitis B virus (HBV) program, licensing rights to GSK plc for CB-06, an oral small-molecule Toll-like receptor 8 agonist. Pending positive data from an ongoing phase I study, GSK will gain rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize the drug for chronic HBV infection, either for use in combination or as a sequential treatment with bepirovirsen.
In its first worldwide licensing deal in the cardiovascular space, Ji Xing Pharmaceuticals Ltd. acquired rights to preclinical-stage PB-6440, in development for diseases including hypertension, from Phasebio Pharmaceuticals Inc.
In a blow to Aussie regenerative medicine company Regeneus Ltd., Japan’s Kyocera Corp. has pulled out of a licensing deal for Regeneus’ lead mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy, Progenza, for osteoarthritis of the knee for the Japan market.
In a blow to Aussie regenerative medicine company Regeneus Ltd., Japan’s Kyocera Corp. has pulled out of a licensing deal for Regeneus’ lead mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy, Progenza, for osteoarthritis of the knee for the Japan market. Osteoarthritis of the knee is the first indication for Progenza, an allogeneic off-the-shelf adipose-derived MSC therapy.
Baxter International Inc. has joined forces with Miromatrix Medical Inc. to advance the development of bioengineered organs for patients with acute liver failure (ALF). Under the collaborative research agreement, Baxter will combine its Prismax system with Miromatrix's single-use bioengineered liver, miroliver, to provide external support to patients' native livers as they await transplant or potential regeneration.
Regenerative medicine company Relive Biotechnologies Ltd. acquired all operating assets of Germany-listed biotech company Co.don AG to expand its global footprint.
Daewoong Pharmaceutical Ltd. has out-licensed greater China rights for its idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) candidate, bersiporocin (DWN-2088), to CS Pharmaceuticals Ltd. in a deal worth up to $336 million. Bersiporocin is a prolyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitor being developed by Daewoong for IPF and potentially other fibrotic indications.
Chinese firm Hutchmed Ltd. has out licensed its targeted colorectal cancer drug fruquintinib to Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. as it eyes growth opportunities in the U.S., Europe and Japan in a deal totaling up to $1.13 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, Tokyo, Japan-based Takeda will gain an exclusive worldwide license to develop and commercialize the drug in all indications and territories outside of mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.